Cain cited the former House speaker's "bold ideas" as the basis for his choice, saying Gingrich wasn't afraid to propose big ideas that would benefit the nation, even if they invited the ridicule of his rivals.

"There are many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is that I know that Speaker Gingrich is a patriot," Cain said. "Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas and I also know that Speaker Gingrich is running for president and going through this sausage grinder. I know what this sausage grinder is all about. I know that he is going through this sausage grinder because he cares about the future of the United States of America."

Appearing on CNN "Newsroom" after making his endorsement, Cain said Gingrich's platforms closely matched his own, including the 9-9-9 tax plan.

"When you find a candidate that basically is running still on the ideas and the ideologies that I was running on, along with him embracing 9-9-9, then it was a no-brainer and I thought that the timing was right," Cain said.

Gingrich said at the West Palm Beach event Saturday Cain's 9-9-9 plan would become part of the national conversation, but the candidate has not offically adopted the tax proposal as part of his platform.

While Cain enjoyed a spike in polls last fall, the impact of his endorsement is unclear. When he dropped out of the race in December, polls showed him toward the back of the pack of candidates. Asked on CNN Saturday how his endorsement would effect the race, Cain said he was more focused on guiding his remaining supporters.

"I don't care about where he stands in the polls," Cain said of Gingrich. "And whether my endorsement helps him or not, that's not the point. It's to let my supporters know that he is the closest to what I represented when I was still a candidate."

In a statement, Gingrich applauded Cain as a fellow "big ideas" candidate,

“America’s challenges are too great for mere tinkering around the edges," Gingrich said. "Just like Herman, who ran his campaign based on big ideas, I am running on bold solutions that will boost job creation, cut bureaucratic red tape, and fundamentally transform Washington."

Cain also accepted Gingrich's invitation to co-chair the former speaker's Tax Reform and Economic Growth Advisory Council, according to the release.

Cain ended his bid for the 2012 GOP nomination in early December after battling allegations of past sexual harassment. Cain attracted attention and followers for aggressively promoting his "9-9-9" tax plan, as well as for his charismatic personality and appeal among tea party activists.

Gingrich also received the backing of former presidential candidate Rick Perry after the Texas governor dropped out of the race ahead of the South Carolina primary earlier this month.

soundoff(464 Responses)

I agree that we should not allow the media to spin our decisions in the direction they choose but let's face it, all politicians use the media as a tool to defame and debunk one another and when it doesn't work in their favor the media is the devil. WOW!

January 29, 2012 12:28 pm at 12:28 pm |

Jose M. Pulido

That's all we need: One adulterer endorsing another.

January 29, 2012 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |

candycane

Good ole Herman Cain!! From "Becky, Becky, Beckystan" TO THE MOON!!!! Wow!!!!!

January 29, 2012 12:32 pm at 12:32 pm |

rick224

Perry, Cain & Palin endorse Gingrich.

Three strikes your out!

January 29, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |

jb1963

He said it right a no brainer. Neither of them have a brain so voting for Obama is a no brainer

January 29, 2012 12:35 pm at 12:35 pm |

bigbendjc

One space cadet endorses another space cadet! Big deal. They both have the same interests–other women other than your current wife.

January 29, 2012 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |

Marion

Cain said: It's to let my supporters know that he is the closest to what I represented when I was still a candidate."
He sure is, Herman. Did he take advice from you about how to LIE, LIE, LIE about his past indescretions? You make a good pair. Perhaps he will offer you up as vice pres......that would seal his chances to LOSE the presidential election.

It's easy to call people idiots Jerry when the rhetoric is being pushed against your base. What about the rhetoric coming from your political base? It's all childish name calling on both ends of the political spectrum and to turn a blind eye to the bs that comes from your own political interest and focus on the other is ignorant. But I do however agree that the issues are what we as Americans should be focusing on. Carry on the good fight. At least I am amused.

January 29, 2012 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Mike Botwin

Is this the GOP nominating process or Comic Relief? One serial adulterer endorses another serial adulterer and calls Gingrich a 'patriot'. Gingrich went way out of his way to avoid serving in Viet Nam through a series of student and family deferments. Not that Pugsly could have ever made it through boot camp.

January 29, 2012 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |

Ken Andrews

Herman Cain + Newt Gingrich = STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

January 29, 2012 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |

ddsatlonerock

Good choice Hermn Cain, I like Newt also. Hope he picks you for VP
God Bless America

January 29, 2012 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |

Thinking7

I'm a Republican, but this is just ridiculous. Hilarious, really. I say Rick Santorum or Ron Paul – the only real conservatives with ethics that can do the job.

I for one agree with true conservative values and the values set forth by our founding father's but when I observe so called conservatives posting comments without all the facts shows a lack of IQ and embarrasses the true conservative initiatives as does the current list of Republican contenders with the exception of Ron Paul in regards to his economic ideals.

January 29, 2012 12:52 pm at 12:52 pm |

ramjet

It's truly heartwarming to see sleazebags looking out for one another.

January 29, 2012 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |

RonnieReagan

America is doomed if the only value anyone has to add to this conversation are the adulterous and allegedly adulterous history of these men.

January 29, 2012 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

WhereIsPalin

Cain's endorsement will only carry weight if Palin says that she enodorses 'Herb' Cain's endorsement of Newt Gingrich, who will then offer her the job of court jester.

January 29, 2012 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |

Larry in Houston

2 sleezebags in the same pod – accused of the same alleged things – they both have the same things in common – they all have a 'female' problem -they are both worthless, as far as leading this country – they both need to go back to working for a living, fo a change.
Larry in Houston

January 29, 2012 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

tact

And a final note. The economic turmoil is unavoidable no matter who will make it as POTUS. Choose who you feel is right for you and realize that we are screwed no matter what. Screwed being the same as fooling around but without dinner. Empty tummy but fully satisfied, (or sore) in bed.

January 29, 2012 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Golden Girl

One cheater supporting another – big deal!

January 29, 2012 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

Blame Bush

As a black man, Cain's endorsement of Gingrich will be the kiss of death for Newt in southern primaries.

Cain kept his mouth shut until the most racist state (S. Carolina) held it's primary, else Romney would've won in SC.

January 29, 2012 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |

augustghost

Birds of an adulterous feather..........lie together

January 29, 2012 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |

Can we move on?

Herman endorsing Newt isn't a surprise. They both like affairs, they both lie their back sides off, and neither one has an ethical bone in his body. it's like Ghadaffi endorsing Hussein for best dictator in the world. You can't fault these guys for their entertainment value though. Let's throw in the Kardashians and the simian kids from Jersey Shore and have a reality show, "Stupid Humans and Their Amazing Egos".

January 29, 2012 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

Diana

Do Americans want as adulterer for President?

Do Americans want an adulteress for First Lady?

January 29, 2012 01:23 pm at 1:23 pm |

Noodle Nose Johnson

It's a great match. They can both cruise for chicks after Obama is re-elected in November.

January 29, 2012 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

Ray

Cain likes them longshots,i guess he bets on the lame horse in a on horse race